Coming back after kidney infection

emmab0902

Has anyone had a serious kidney infection and then returned to exercise and good eating?

I am beginning to feel semi alive after 8 days laid pretty low. Have had minimal appetite, only really managing a few bits of tomato on toast in the last 5 days. I have lost 5 pounds, which isn't drastic but at 5'4" and now 103 pounds I wasn't wanting to lose any. However I realise I will gain that back when I am better.

My questions are:

1) How can I get back into protein in particular - I like protein but am aware it is hard on the kidneys.
2) Is there any magic trick to make sure my gain is a good mix of muscle and fat and not just all the latter
3) Can I trust how I feel as a guide to getting back into exercise? Before this hit I was swimming about 10km a week and also doing strength training and some running.

I have put all these questions to my doctor but he was pretty vague with the answers!

castelluzzo99

I'm no expert, but in the protein department, I would say that you don't need nearly as much as most people here say you do. In the past month, I gained about 5 lb of LBM (according to a calculator that uses height, weight, sex, and measurements) while losing about 8 lb of fat. I aim for about 65 g of protein, and I think I average that pretty much--more or less depending on the day, but pretty much average.

My point is, you don't need a lot of protein--not nearly as much as people here seem to think (30% of calories is way more than you should be eating, I'd think, with kidney issues). And I would say that the sources of protein are just as important as how much you get. Meat is very acidic (remember the chart I shared with you a while back? http://vidyacleanse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/acid-alkaline-food-chart1.gif). So I would minimize that and up other sources. Sure, they will have more carbs, but they are good carbs and will fuel your body. Things like quinoa, millet, amaranth (if you can find a way you like it), almonds & almond milk, soy milk (avoid processed soy products; as a vegetarian, I would say meat is probably better for you than those are!), whey, are all alkaline-forming foods. Those are going to be easy on the kidneys. I think you can get enough protein with those things, especially since I am sure you aren't going to stop eating meat and other grains.

About question 2, my experience and reading leads me to believe that the best way to have a good mixture of fat and muscle is to exercise, especially strength training, to keep muscle mass. This helps the body minimize muscle loss during weight loss. Since you are gaining, I'd say you would minimize fat gain if you are using your muscles. But again, I'm no expert!

About #3, I would say that if your doctor has no objections to your trusting how you feel, then if I were you I would set a schedule and do my best to stick to it. If it seems too hard, slow down. I'm pretty much trusting how my body feels with my back injury (pinched sciatic nerve), and so far I am able to do upper body work and most core exercises, and beyond that, I just do what I can do. Cardio is hard, because most cardio routines (rowing and swimming not included--but I can't do either without a gym), but I figure strength is more important than cardio to me, so I do what I can do. When my back feels better, I'll do more. So in your case, I'd say eat well, and then work out as much as you feel you can, push yourself only as much as is realistic, and if you are feeling well, you probably will be back to normal in a few weeks.

So there is my inexpert opinion. Hopefully someone else can give you some better ideas.